2025 NFC South Preview: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans, Louisiana — The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 season under the direction of first-time head coach Kellen Moore, who brings a reputation for innovation and offensive success. Moore has already named Spencer Rattler the starting quarterback, edging out highly touted rookie Tyler Shough after a tense preseason competition. As Week 1 approaches, the mood in the Superdome is one of cautious optimism—but also realism. The path to relevance in 2025 may be steep for a franchise still clawing its way back after consecutive subpar years.

Fresh Leadership, Familiar Vision

Moore, 36, takes over as the Saints’ head coach following a successful stint as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped engineer a Super Bowl LIX victory and the league’s second-ranked rushing attack. Known for his creative, up-tempo schemes, Moore inherits not only the head coaching title but play-calling duties as well—a signal he intends to directly imprint his offense on this roster.

QB Decision: Rattler Over Shough

In a decision announced Aug. 26, Moore named Spencer Rattler, a second-year pro drafted in the fifth round in 2024, as the starter for the regular-season opener. He beat out rookie Tyler Shough, the No. 40 overall pick.

Rattler showed enough consistency, decision-making and dual-threat ability during the preseason to earn the nod. Moore has emphasized that he views Shough as a developmental asset—ready to learn and potentially take over in the future. That two-year look reflects smart roster planning, giving Shough time to grow behind a more experienced hand.

Offense: Moore’s Aggressive Stamp

Under Moore, the Saints’ offensive strategy has already shifted toward a faster, spread-out attack. Preseason usage of 11-personnel (one back, one tight end, three receivers) surged from 52.9 percent to 74.9 percent of snaps—nearly league average and a marked departure from more two-tight-end formations of years past. That bodes well for receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, both healthy and expected to thrive in this quick-tempo, wide-open system.

Moore’s offense likely will lean into its running backs and tight ends, allowing new coordinator Doug Nussmeier (a Moore disciple) to blend creativity with pace. Veterans like Alvin Kamara remain key, bringing shared backfield production and reliable receiving options. Tight end Juwan Johnson, fresh off a notable contract, could benefit from increased involvement in Moore’s tight-end friendly designs.

Defense: Transition and Questions

Defensively, the Saints have overhauled their staff, bringing in Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator and a series of new position coaches following last season’s disappointing showing. While Staley brings a fresh voice and experience, the unit faces a learning curve amid new schemes and acclimating players.

Concerns also emerged during preseason games. Notably, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry struggled in coverage, signaling possible vulnerabilities in the secondary. Roster churn and a lack of continuity could mean early inconsistency on defense—a potential drag on overall team performance.

Rocky Road Ahead

Despite new energy, the Saints face headwinds in 2025. They aim to rebound from a 5–12 record in 2024 and end a four-year playoff drought—but early rankings suggest skepticism about their readiness. They’re pegged near the bottom of power rankings, partly due to the quarterback uncertainty and questions about organizational direction.

The offense may take time to gel under Moore’s system, and the defense could lag as players adjust. Inter-divisional foes like the Buccaneers and Falcons remain competitive, and the NFC South remains open for battle.

Season Schedule at a Glance

The Saints’ 2025 slate is frontloaded with challenges and backloaded with divisional showdowns, leaving little margin for error in a year of transition.

Weeks 1–4: Early Tests and Road Trips

• Week 1 (Sept. 7): vs. Arizona Cardinals — Superdome opener
• Week 2 (Sept. 14): vs. San Francisco 49ers — heavyweight NFC opponent
• Week 3 (Sept. 21): at Seattle Seahawks — tough West Coast trip
• Week 4 (Sept. 28): at Buffalo Bills — one of the toughest road games of the year

Weeks 5–10: Midseason Mix of Home and Away

• Week 5 (Oct. 5): vs. New York Giants
• Week 6 (Oct. 12): vs. New England Patriots
• Week 7 (Oct. 19): at Chicago Bears
• Week 8 (Oct. 26): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — first divisional showdown
• Week 9 (Nov. 2): vs. Los Angeles Rams
• Week 10 (Nov. 9): at Carolina Panthers — divisional road test

Week 11: Bye Week

Weeks 12–18: Divisional Wrangling & Season Finale

• Week 12 (Nov. 23): vs. Atlanta Falcons — rivalry game in the Dome
• Week 13 (Nov. 30): at Miami Dolphins
• Week 14 (Dec. 7): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 15 (Dec. 14): vs. Carolina Panthers
• Week 16 (Dec. 21): vs. New York Jets
• Week 17 (Dec. 28): at Tennessee Titans
• Week 18 (Jan. 3–4): at Atlanta Falcons — finale with possible playoff stakes

Looking Beyond 2025

The immediate outlook hinges on Moore mastering the offense and Rattler’s consistency under center. If Rattler performs well, Moore’s aggressive scheme could flourish. If not, the Saints have positioned Shough to step in 2026, while also eyeing a quarterback-rich draft in 2027—potentially yielding a blue-chip long-term starter.

Under Moore, the team is poised for cultural change. Offensively, they might return to dynamic, high-scoring football. Defensively, incremental improvement under Staley could yield stronger results by Year 2 or 3. For Saints fans, the promise lies in the process: a clear offensive identity, a developmental quarterback pipeline, and renewed optimism that the spotlight is shifting back to New Orleans.

In summary, the 2025 Saints season is a transition year buoyed by fresh leadership, strategic planning, and a revitalized offense. Challenges abound—quarterback continuity, defensive cohesion, and a tough schedule—but Moore’s vision and the club’s proactive approach offer a blueprint that, with a few breaks, could restore them to respectable form. The road ahead is uncertain—but at least it’s charted.